The Channel

Covenant Wellness Services is offering a special on gift certificates good for a 60 minute massage for only $40 when purchased now through Mother’s Day (no expiration date). Certificates can be purchased at their Kimball Ridge Center location and at Rehab Services located at Covenant Medical Center. Call 319-272-7200 for more details.

Congratulations to Cedar Valley Philanthropist Miller Roskamp and Grinnell-Newburg Superintendent Dr. Janet Stutz on being honored with the Friend of the AEA award by Iowa’s Area Education Agencies! The Friend of the AEA award acknowledges outstanding individuals for their contributions to education and who have been great partners, demonstrating strong support for furthering the mission of Iowa’s AEAs.

Roskamp was nominated by Principal Mike Lonning for his support of the River Hills School and his leadership role in renovating the infrastructure and spirit of River Hills. His motivation and leadership with a variety of initiatives and campaigns have resulted in significant building and grounds improvements. Students now enjoy safe and modern outdoor adapted playgrounds, and the learning environments in all 24 of the building classrooms have been enhanced.

Regional Administrator Dr. Karen Aldrich nominated Dr. Stutz for the award for her support of the AEA staff assigned to her district and her belief that the AEA plays an important part in the achievement of students. She focuses on doing the best for the students of Grinnell-Newburg and openly admits that the district cannot do the work that needs to be done without the support of the AEA.

Please be aware that the period for benefits enrollment will begin on May 1 and run through May 20. All benefits-eligible employees must complete this process even if declining insurance, making no changes, resigning, or retiring. As you are aware, this year there are new health insurance options for 2018-19, including the addition of a Health Savings Account (HSA). (Please refer to the previously shared resources on the staff website for a refresher. Remember that you need your email username and password to access.) Beginning April 18, a new section will be added to the Infinite Visions portal with easy-to-use tools to help you in your decision making.

In addition to a “what if” spreadsheet that provides an easy way to calculate scenarios, the agency has also worked with an outside company to customize an interactive tool known as “Jellyvision” (sometimes referred to as “Alex”) that walks you through a series of questions that lead to advice on which of the insurance options makes the most sense for your unique situation. Early feedback through testing this tool has been extremely positive and has taken much of the “guesswork” out of the selection process!

Please watch your email very carefully over the next several weeks for updates and links to important resources throughout the process. Questions can be referred to Betty Beauregard, Benefits Specialist.  

Save the date for this year’s retirement celebration which is being held on Wednesday, May 23 from 9-10 am during the All-Regional meeting in Cedar Falls.

Rather than holding three separate celebrations, this year we are starting a new tradition of honoring our retirees as one group. This presents a wonderful opportunity to congratulate our retirees and recognize them for their dedication and years of service to the agency. Zoom will be available at all locations for employees that are not attending the regional meeting that morning.

Those being honored this year include:

• Cindy Baker, Technology Specialist for Special Education
• Alison Bell (Retired December 2017)
• Melissa Clarke, Special Education Consultant
• Joan Coffin, Administrative Secretary at River Hills School
• Judy Dale (Retired December 2017)
• Greg Ehrig (Retired January 2018)
• Sherri Gabbard, Teacher of Mental Disab/Severe & Profound
• Carol Hanson, Teacher of Mental Disab/Severe & Profound
• Rob Hirst, Special Education Consultant
• Lisa Jellum, Special Education Consultant
• Deb Johnson, Educational Assistant
• Marcia Knupp, Consultant for Educational Services
• Janna Lang, Early Childhood Special Educator
• Deb Molitor, School Psychologist/Cons for Early Childhood
• Judy Schuler (Retired August 2017)
• Darla Stack, School Psychologist
• Theresa Stensland, Special Education Consultant
• Jim Stoycheff, School Psychologist
• Deb Whitesell, Detention Center Teacher
• Gary Whitmore, Special Education Consultant

Amber Dietz has been chosen as Regional Administrator for Region 2, effective July 1.  Amber is originally from Nashua and earned her degrees from Iowa State University, Hamline University in St. Paul, and the University of Iowa.

For the past nine years, she has served as a building principal in the Waterloo Community Schools and prior to that, taught in Minneapolis and at the University of Iowa. Amber is looking forward to building strong relationships with staff in Region 2 in order to provide the best educational opportunities for all students. Please join us in welcoming Amber to the Central Rivers AEA team!

Congratulations to Melissa Hesner for winning the March Madness Bracket Challenge organized by our culture/climate committee. Melissa was tied with Sara Youngblut, but edged out Sara with the total points criteria in the championship game.

Thanks to everyone (59 participants) who filled out a bracket!

• On Thursday, April 26, the Climate & Culture Committee, along with Regions 4 and 7 are hosting a potluck for staff from 11:30-1:00 in the Cedar Falls Conference Center.

• The AEA is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a community home in the Cedar Valley this summer. Three dates have been reserved for AEA teams to volunteer their time and talents, June 12, 13, and 14. Shifts run from 8:30 am-3:30 pm and must be off-contract time (off contract day, vacation day, or work with your supervisor on making up your hours).  You will receive a confirmation by June 8 with tasks, location, and more details! Make a difference in others’ lives and sign up today

In an effort to share more information about the role that Iowa’s AEAs play in education, last week the AEA system communications directors launched a redesigned website and new video.

We encourage you to share this video, as well as future posts about our system with your friends on social media. Together we can share the important work and partnership that Iowa’s AEAs provide to children, families, and educators!

You can share on Facebook from https://www.facebook.com/iowaaea/
or copy/paste
Iowa’s AEAs… Did you know we did all that? Check out Iowa’s Area Education Agencies newest video at https://youtu.be/6_2Lmts7qhw

Feel free to add your own text and tell your friends why you love working for Iowa’s AEAs! Don’t forget to check out the website redesign at iowaaea.org.

The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors met Wednesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cedar Falls Conference Center. Minutes of the meeting will be available after approval at the next month’s meeting. May’s board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 2.

Stuck in a winter rut? Jump in and take part in any one of the following fun activities from our agency Culture/Climate committee!

• March Madness – Enter the Central Rivers March Madness Yahoo Tourney Pick’em pool by selecting the link above & creating an account (if you don’t already have one).  You can make and change your picks as often as you like, but your final bracket must be submitted anytime before or up until tipoff of the first game on Thursday, March 15th.  One entry per person. Grand prize is bragging rights and a secret prize!
• Join us on Thursday, March 29th in the Cedar Falls Office for an outdoor Easter egg hunt! Those wishing to participate should gather in Central Perk at 2:00 pm for instructions before kicking off the hunt. Collect as many plastic eggs as you can find for a chance to win prizes! In the event of bad weather or muddy conditions, the egg hunt will be relocated indoors.
• Financial Wellness Challenge. For the month of March, pick one day a week to be a “no spend day”.  A “no spend day” allows you to pay only for things that are necessities (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.).  Wants (eating out, shopping, entertainment, etc.) are not approved in hopes that depriving yourself of the “wants”  in life will give you a better appreciation for your financial health.
• Health Challenge. The Committee is challenging everyone to personally initiate one change from the Blue Zone Power 9 list. Choose one thing to change and try to make it a habit before the end of March!

• Upcoming summer volunteer opportunity. Interested in helping build a Habitat for Humanity house in the Cedar Valley? Good news! We have reserved three dates for AEA teams to volunteer their time and talents to build a community home, June 12, 13, and 14. Shifts run from 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Sign up is available on a first come, first served basis and must be off-contract time (off contract day, vacation day, or work with your supervisor on making up your hours).  You will receive a confirmation by June 8 with tasks, location, and more details! Wear appropriate (casual) clothes and closed-toed shoes. Tools will be provided. Make a difference and sign up today!

The Central Rivers AEA board of directors approved three new policies, two of which are related to agency logo usage and employee social media use. Staff members are encouraged to review 703.3 Agency Name/Logo Use and 703.4 Employee Use of Social Media. Board policies can be found on the agency’s website under About > Board of Directors > Board Policies. Questions? Contact Beth Strike.

An insurance resources “repository” has been established on the staff website. The repository has a link to the presentation made the week of February 26 by Assistant Chief Administrator Karl Kurt and Chief Financial Officer David Nicholson regarding the rationale for the changes in insurance. In addition, a link to the insurance plan document is also available. Please note that additional resources will be made available as they are created including a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers. The Open enrollment period for insurance and benefits will be from May 1 – 20, 2018.  Even if you do not take the insurance, you must go through the open enrollment process. More information and tools such as ALEX, the interactive Jellyvision program, will be made available to employees in April.

To find the repository, visit the Central Rivers AEA staff website under Resources and click on Insurance Resources. (Remember that you will need to use your email username and password to access this site.)

The All Staff Meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 14th. Please be sure to change this date on your calendars. A calendar of important dates for 2018-19 can be viewed and downloaded from the staff website.

The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors met Wednesday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the Cedar Falls Conference Center. The agenda can be viewed online and minutes will be posted after approval at the next board meeting.

Heather Gould, Consultant for School Improvement

Congratulations to Heather Gould, Consultant for School Improvement who will be stepping in as Regional Administrator for Region 9, effective July 1. Heather has been with the agency since 2009, serving primarily in the areas of literacy, teacher leadership, and school improvement.  Prior to that, she taught middle school English Language Arts at East Marshall.

Heather earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa, with an English Major and a Reading Minor.  She then received her Master’s Degree from Viterbo University in 2008, Literacy Coaching Certification from Iowa State University in 2015,  and an Administrative License from Morningside College last year.

Heather and her husband, Chad, live in rural Marshalltown with their three children:  Gabe (15), Carli (14) and Mya (8). She enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending her children’s activities, and traveling.

Kim Swartz, Regional Administrator

With our strong focus on literacy and math, the agency has restructured to create a Director of Instruction position beginning with the 2018-19 school year. Kim Swartz has been selected for the new position given her knowledge and experience in reading and math instruction. Congratulations, Kim!

Kim has been a professional educator since 1984 teaching elementary students. She joined the AEA system in 2000 as a literacy consultant before becoming a Regional Administrator.  She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Educational Technology, both from UNI.

Kim’s family includes her husband Kevin and children Ryan, Austin, and Spencer and their spouses. She has two grandsons and her interests include spending time with family and friends, as well as biking, hiking, gardening, and singing in the church choir.

The Central Rivers AEA literacy conference is scheduled for June 13 & 14 to be held in Cedar Falls. A powerful roster of speakers is scheduled including Timothy Rasinski, Antonio Fierro, Deborah Reed, Barbara Golub, David Kilpatrick and Jim Burke. Important topics such as foundational skills, fluency, word study, vocabulary, the reading-writing relationship, and reaching English learners will be addressed. Staff is encouraged to attend. Fill out a travel request in Ivisons and register now!   

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Richard Dickerson. Richard passed away on Friday, February 23. He was a valued member of the Central Rivers AEA team and will be greatly missed.

Richard first came to us as a special education teacher and then worked as a transition specialist. Following retirement, Richard worked part-time as a van driver for the Media department.

Please keep Richard’s family and friends in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time.